Detroit Tigers vs Kansas City Royals Box Score on May 23, 2021

Carlos Santana belted a two-run homer off Michael Fulmer in the ninth inning to lead the host Kansas City Royals to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

The two teams celebrated "Salute to the Negro Leagues," with the Tigers wearing the uniforms of the 1920 Detroit Stars and the Royals honoring the 1949 Kansas City Monarchs.

Kyle Zimmer (3-0) struck out three batters in two scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory. Fulmer (3-3) took the loss after squandering his first save opportunity in five chances.

Whit Merrifield led off the ninth with an infield single before Santana belted a 1-0 pitch from Fulmer 442 feet to end the game.

The Tigers wasted a stellar effort from Casey Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. Mize allowed one run on three hits over 6 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out six.

Kris Bubic, who was the Royals' fourth first-round pick in 2018, allowed two runs on six hits in five innings.

Bubic entered the game with 17 2/3 scoreless innings, but the Tigers got to him with one out in the first. Robbie Grossman led off with a double and scored on a single by Jeimer Candelario, who has reached base safely in 19 straight games.

The Tigers also received an RBI single from Eric Haase, loading the bases before Bubic got out of the inning with two strikeouts.

Mize was almost unhittable early. The only hit he allowed was on a sharp ground ball that eluded Niko Goodrum at shortstop. Mize only allowed baserunners in two of his first six innings.

The Royals mounted an attack in the seventh inning on singles by Andrew Benintendi and Salvador Perez. Mize got Kelvin Gutierrez to ground into a fielder's choice before Detroit manager A.J. Hinch pulled him from the game.

Benintendi then scored the Royals' first run on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Hanser Alberto. But Gutierrez was out trying to go from second base to third to end the inning.

--Field Level Media